After being so well-received in the ASEAN region, Toyota USA has debuted the Toyota Corolla Cross for the United States yesterday.

The headlining features about the USA-spec model is its performance. Toyota USA only offers one engine across 6 variants - a 2.0-litre Dynamic Force mill, good for a peak power output of 169 PS and 203 Nm torque.

Power is transmitted via a Direct-Shift CVT, and American customers can choose between front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) drivetrains.

USA is the second market after Brazil to get AWD, while all ASEAN-market models are exclusively FWD.

Sitting on the Toyota New Global Architecture platform (TNGA-C), the AWD variants have fully-independent suspension with a Dynamic Torque Control system that sends up to 50 percent of power to the rear wheels.

Also read: Toyota Corolla Altis' TNGA platform, what is it and does it make any difference?

No such thing on the FWD variants - those retain the same MacPherson-strut / torsion beam front and rear suspension combo.

Meanwhile, new features in the familiar interior range from 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support, heated front seats, SoftTex upholstery (synthetic leather), and a 7-inch fully-digital instrument cluster.

Another highlight of the USA-spec Corolla Cross is its electric parking brake (EPB) - recall that all ASEAN-market cars get a foot brake.

Also read: Electric parking brake vs manual hand brake vs foot brake, which is better?

Those are variant-dependent, much like the available in-car entertainment options. A 7-inch, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay-ready touchscreen infotainment system with 6 speakers is standard, but higher-end variants can opt for a 8-inch touchscreen with a 9-speaker JBL setup too.

Toyota Safety Sense (TSS 2.0) comes standard on all versions, coming with full-range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), Pre-Collision System (PCS), and Lane Tracing Assist (LTA).

Blind Spot Monitoring with Rear-Cross Traffic Alert (BSM, RCTA) is reserved for more expensive variants. Passive safety is handled by 9 airbags.

On the outside, it still looks pretty much the same as it does in Malaysia or Thailand. The slight difference here is the position of the 'Corolla Cross' inscription, now relocated to the left side of the bootlid.

This lends a cleaner look than ours, which has its model designation spelled right across the tailgate garnish.

While its expected to roll into showrooms within the next few months, prices for the Toyota Corolla Cross in the United States haven't been revealed just yet.

Of course, no such mystery exists for Malaysia - the Corolla Cross is priced from RM 124,000 (1.8G) and RM 134,000 (1.8V) here, sans insurance, road-tax, and with SST exemption, valid until 31-December 2021.

Also read: Priced from RM 124k, Toyota Corolla Cross launched in Malaysia, full ADAS, 3D 360-deg cam, TNGA

The initial allocation of 750 units in Malaysia were imported (CBU Thailand) and sold out in the first week of sales. Locally-assembled (CKD) variants are expected to be launched some time in the second half of 2021.

Also read: 

Dealers explain why the Toyota Corolla Cross is UMWT’s best product in 20 years

Quick Review: 2021 Toyota Corolla Cross in Malaysia, the proper benchmark for family SUVs